Hello! Today we’re talking about what to eat BEFORE you RUN. Do you have go-to food that always works for you?
Lately before running I’ve been sipping Spark and snacking on grapes. I am obsessed with grapes. Not just now – all the time. It’s my second favorite fruit after my favorite food of all time.
For long runs I do something like oatmeal or toast with PB and a banana. Ultimately it depends on what I’m in the mood for and what I have around. I know what I can eat the morning of a run. I’ve done everything from oatmeal to Quest bars to tortillas with butter and salt.
But the most important thing to know for pre-run fuel is – PRACTICE it in training. You need to know your body and how it responds to different foods. You need to know while running around your neighborhood if something is going to upset your stomach.
You don’t want a surprise on race day. Make this a priority up there with every other aspect of training.
What to eat before a run:
In other running and eating news…
I bought a package of pre-chopped butternut squash from Costco (because my knives are tragic and wouldn’t cut it and because I’m lazy and because I once broke a knife trying to cut one).
And I saw this movie randomly at CVS – Run for Your Life about Fred Lebow. It’s on Netflix and Amazon and I started to watch it last night.
A lot of the time I don’t eat before a run. I’ll bring a gu with me in case I need it. I usually run so early that my stomach cannot handle food that early
I’m such a new runner that I don’t have a specific thing that I eat before I run. I do workout consistently and am an avid cyclist, so I try to eat either 1/2 PBJ sandwich or a Nature Valley protein bar before a heavy workout or ride. The combination of the salt and carbs really helps.
I usually only have coffee and some water before my morning run. But, if I’m hungry or have a long run planned, I’ll have a banana and some PB, or a Boost protein drink.
Costco has cut up butternut squash in the freezer section too! They are in a big tater-tot-type bag and within that bag are 4 microwaveable bags (can be oven-roasted too).
ive never run any distance longer then 6 miles. I dont really fuel before..
Oatmeal is my usual go to. Sometimes a banana with PB.
I’ve tried it almost everything when it comes to pre run fuel. What it seems to work best for me in terms of energy is half of one bagel with PB.
Sometimes I go out to run too early in the morning and I just don’t feel like eating that. So I’ve been trying Clift Bars. Half of one and I feel like I’m flying on that run.
Long runs, I do toast or an english muffin with toast and pb. Shorter runs (under 7 miles), just some good ol’ Spark with Arginine and nothing else.
Long runs = toast, pb fit, and 1/2 banana. Otherwise nothing because I get up way too darn early during the week to eat anything.
Omg I am OBSESSED with grapes too. You know your photo of that whole box? I eat that amount. At once. Daily. It’s so unhealthily excessive but… I can’t help it.
Prerun though, I prefer to not have anything because I always feel sick running with anything in my stomach. Dunno why.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com